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Diploma in High Performance Sales & Business Development

Create executable growth strategies and unlock the next level of business performance for your organisation

Programme Overview

Driving sustainable and profitable growth in organisations is complex, highly rewarding and a strategic imperative.   Leaders, managers and executives within key commercial areas including sales, marketing, customer success, operations and business development are all required to shape execute ambitious growth strategies.

This diploma is designed to equip commercial leaders and senior executives with an in-depth understanding of how to create an executable growth strategy and unlock the next level of business performance.  It will challenge and support participants in developing their own critical thinking and create successful growth strategies with clarity, confidence, focus and purpose, while mitigating risk.

Our unique combination of industry practitioners and Smurfit academics will provide participants with frameworks, leading-edge management models, and results-based learning that will make a measurable difference to their business effectiveness and drive performance levels.   The programme will explore how to effectively work and collaborate across teams to achieve growth and performance objectives.

Past participants on this programme have identified performance gains of 25% + growth.  This programme is the right blend of applied knowledge of sales strategy execution and academic rigor.

Key Details

8 October 2025

Next Intake

€8,890 & €8,445*

Fees

9 Months

Duration

6 X 2 Day Modules

Delivery

NFQ Level 9 / 30 ECTS

Accredited / Credits

Module Dates

Module Title

Module Faculty

Module Dates

Module 1: Strategy for Breakthrough Sales Performance SBUS41980

John O'Gorman 

Wed 8th October (1.30 - 5pm)

Thurs 9th & Fri 10th October 2025

Module 2: Leading and Coaching for Breakthrough Performance  SBUS41960

Pamela Fay

Fri 21st & Sat 22nd November 2025

Module 3: Value-Based Sales and Customer Success SBUS41950

Associate Professor Andrew Keating

Thurs 8th & Fri 9th January 2026

Module 4: Executing High Performance Business Development, Client Acquisition and Growth  SBUS41930

John O'Gorman and Dr, Gearóid Hardy

Fri 27th & Sat 28th February 2026

Module 5: Negotiations – Changing the Game SBUS41940

Stephen Boyle

Fri 17th & Sat 18th April 2026

Module 6: Talent Management, Collaboration and Winning SBUS41970

Dr. Gearóid Hardy and John O'Gorman 

Fri 5th & Sat 6th June 2026

Please note - 100% attendance is required at all modules. Should you miss a module due to unexpected circumstances, there is no longer an option to take that module with another intake of the programme.

Visit www.smurfitschool.ie/executivedevelopment/contactus/faqs/ for full details. 

Timing: Typically 9.00am to 5.00pm on weekdays and 8.30am to 4.30pm on a Saturday

MSc Pathway

This standalone diploma also forms part of the optional MSc in Business (Leadership & Management Practice) Pathway. The pathway framework is comprised of eleven diploma programmes. If participants successfully complete any three of these eleven diplomas within a recommended 5-year timeframe, they are awarded with the MSc in Business (Leadership & Management Practice). 

Our portfolio of pathway diplomas builds on your existing skill set and adds relevant value to your business needs. From corporate governance to leadership development, our diplomas deepen your understanding of contemporary business issues and will help you become a stronger leader who can deal with complex issues in rapidly changing environments. Our unique learning method, immersive environment and world-class faculty all come together to deliver a learning experience unlike any other.

The majority of our diploma programmes are delivered over a series of 6 two-day workshops within a 10-12 month period. The majority of our diploma programmes are assessed on a module by module basis through practical assignments.

Discover our Rankings and Accreditations

Athena Swan
EQUIS
AACSB
AMBA
Financial Times
The Economist
GNFAM
GBSN
PIM
PRME
CEMS
UNICON
IMCA